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New West resident earns kudos from college for entrepreneurial efforts

Entrepreneur Ivonne Navas was a big winner at the Douglas College’s Business/Self Employment Program’s recent awards ceremony. The March 5 ceremony at Anvil Centre celebrated the success of alumni from the college’s self-employment program.
Ivonne Navas
Ivonne Navas, founder of Explore IDEAS Immigration and Education, won in the Entrepreneur of the Year category at Douglas College’s Business/Self Employment Program’s recent awards.

Entrepreneur Ivonne Navas was a big winner at the Douglas College’s Business/Self Employment Program’s recent awards ceremony.

The March 5 ceremony at Anvil Centre celebrated the success of alumni from the college’s self-employment program. Navas, with her company Explore IDEAS Immigration and Education, won in the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

According to a press release from the company, Explore IDEAS Immigration and Education provides professional services for studies in Canada and around the world, including immigration, student services and settlement services. The press release says it’s “quite an accomplishment” for the company that was created as a home-based business to win the award.

According to Explore IDEAS Immigration and Education, its work reaches beyond borders, serving Canadians who wish to study Spanish abroad and foreign nationals from more than 30 countries around the world who dream of studying, working legally or immigrating to Canada.

“Ivonne Navas, founder of Explore IDEAS Immigration and Education is an immigrant from Mexico, has been living in New Westminster for 13 years,” said the press release. “She has 19 years of experience in the international education industry and holds a licence as an RCIC regulated Canadian immigration consultant.”

In addition to Entrepreneur of the Year, awards are given out in Youth Entrepreneur, Home-Based Business, High Tech, Services, Construction/Manufacturing and Retail categories.